My Vancouver 2016: Neworld Theatre&#039;s Marcus Youssef

DH Vancouver StaffDec 15, 2015 9:03 am

Welcome to My Vancouver 2016, a curation of local industry experts, community and thought leaders, each telling us their resolutions for Vancouver in 2016. Since 2008, we’ve been bringing you a bucket list of things to do around the city while also keeping you informed with the many issues in our community. Now, we’re focusing on what’s next: the evolution of our city into something greater, starting with 2016.

What do you do?

Make and perform original shows for audiences in Vancouver and around the world.

When did you come to Vancouver?

1992.

What do you love most about Vancouver?

The ocean, being near the edge of the continent; the pace at which the is changing, for better and for worse. I love what I hate about it, too – that, in Veda Hille’s words, it’s a teenaged city; that the non-aboriginal part of it is so young, and behaves a bit like a 15 year old, ensconced at home, fantasizing about a more exciting life, convinced that the future equals dreams coming true.

If you could make one New Year’s resolution for your industry in Vancouver for 2016, what would it be?

To insist on culture’s importance to the city and its identity. To be ruthless and rigorous with the work we make. When people ask us what we do, to resist the temptation to apologize with an ‘um’ or an ‘aw shucks’ or a glance to the ground. To speak simply and directly about our successes.